Gabriel Landeskog Returns to the Ice with Colorado Eagles

By Ryan S. Clark | April 11, 2025, 02:56 PM ET

Landeskog’s Comeback

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog is set to make his professional hockey return by playing with the franchise’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, on Friday. This will mark his first game in nearly three years.

Details of the Stint

The Eagles announced Landeskog’s participation in their match against the Henderson Silver Knights, which is the AHL affiliate for the Vegas Golden Knights. This announcement comes after the Avalanche decided to send him for a conditioning stint, as he continues to make strides towards recovery.

Background of Injury

Landeskog’s last game was during Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, where he played an integral role in leading the Avalanche to their third championship title. Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a knee injury and subsequently underwent cartilage replacement surgery in May 2023, which further sidelined him for the entirety of the subsequent season.

Recent Developments

In recent months, Landeskog has been increasingly engaged with on-ice activities, gradually ramping up his participation in practice sessions with the Avalanche. This ongoing development has fueled speculation that he may play a significant role in the team’s playoff campaign.

Coaching Insights

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar noted that the coaching staff will be closely monitoring Landeskog’s performance during this stint, with no immediate plans beyond this single game against the Silver Knights. However, there remains the potential for him to participate in additional games, as the Eagles have four more fixtures scheduled before concluding their regular season next Saturday.

Implications for the Playoffs

Reintroducing Landeskog into the lineup could provide the Avalanche with not just their captain but also a versatile two-way winger, enhancing their options in the top-six and top-nine forward roles as they aim for a fourth Stanley Cup title.

Current Standing

As of Friday, the Avalanche stood at 48-28-4 and held the third position in the Central Division. They have two remaining road games, one against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, followed by a matchup against the Anaheim Ducks to close out their regular season.